Head supported amusement device operable by movement of user&#39;s head and body



Nov. 9, 1965 BRIESE 3,216,149

HEAD SUPPORTED AMUSEMENT DEVICE OPERABLE BY MOVEMENT OF USER'S HEAD AND BODY Filed July 16, 1962 INVENTOR Jay/v 1-. 50555 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 216 149 HEAD SUPPORTED XMUSEMENT DEVICE ()PERABLE BY MOVEMENT 0F USERS HEAD AND BODY John E. Briese, 607 Baltimore St., Monterey Park, Calif. Filed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 209,921 8 (Ilairns. (Cl. 46-47) This invention relates generally to exercising and amusement devices, and more particularly to a novel device which can be physically moved in a particular fashion whereby the individual is amused, exercises and develops coordination.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel device which preferably, but not necessarily, is supported on a users head and a part movably supported but is in a state of equilibrium or balance whereby considerable physical effort and coordination are required in order to keep the movable part in continuous motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel hat or the like whereby a rotor thereon has an axis of rotation and an eccentric mass with respect to the axis of rotation whereby physical energy must be expended in order to overcome the rotor inertia and thereafter coordinate movement in harmony with initial oscillation of the rotor will aflord a flywheel effect to the rotor and cause continuous rotation of the rotor.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel device of the character set forth whereby rotor-operated signal means are activated by continued rotor rotation to apprise a user of the movement thereof.

These together with other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of a description of an exemplary embodiment as set forth in the following specification when considered with the drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the novel exercising device;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation looking from right to left at FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and showing by phantom lines the manner in which the rotor may be removed;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken substantially on the plane of line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, and shows one way of locating the rotor mass eccentric of the rotor axis of rotation;

FIGURE 6 is a section similar to FIGURE 5 showing another way of locating the rotor mass eccentric to the rotor axis of rotation; and

FIGURE 7 is a reduced perspective view showing the appearance of the novel device on a users head.

Before referring to the drawings in detail, the novel exercising device, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, will be constructed principally from readily moldable plastic materials, however, suitable metals, etc., may also be used.

Additionally, the configuration of the rotor is shown for purposes of illustration, however, other shapes such as a disc, elliptically-shaped disc, etc., are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Likewise, although a preferred embodiment of signal means is shown, i.e., one that emits a periodic clicking noise, signal means electrically actuated and controlled by rotor rotation are considered to be encompassed within the term signal means.

Still further, the use of the device, on other portions 3,216,149 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 of a users anatomy, held in a users hand, stapped on his foot, etc., are uses contemplated to be within the scope of this invention, and thus the terms such as support are to be regarded in their broadest context.

Various positional-directional terms used in the description of this device are for purposes of description, and are not to be considered by way of liimtation.

The exemplary embodiment of the exercising device is indicated generally at 10 and will be secured on a users head H by means of a securing assembly or the like indicated generally at 12.

Briefly describing the mode of operation of the exemplary device, without discussing the detailed structure, the rotor will have its mass located eccentric of the axis of rotation. Thus the rotor will tend to assume a position where the eccentric mass is directly beneath the axis of rotation, i.e., when the user of the device is standing still.

A series of continuous, up and down movements with a slight circular movement at the end of each up and down movement, will initially cause the rotor to oscillate about its axis of rotation and the rotor inertia will tend to prevent the rotor from rotating about its axis of rotation. However, as the rotor initially oscillates and the kinetic energy expended by the user is applied in harmony with the period of oscillation, the rotor will begin to rotate, and continued, coordinated movement will cause the rotor to continue to rotate, due to the flywheel effect of the eccentric mass.

In the two embodiments to subsequently be described in detail, it will be observed that in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5, the eccentric mass is much farther from the rotor axis of rotation, while in the embodiment of FIGURE 6, the eccentric mass is quite close to the rotor axis. Thus, variations or diiferent means may be used to unbalance the rotor, it being readily apparent that a balanced rotor will not afford the operation mentioned with respect to the disclosed embodiments.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first considering FIGURES 15, the exercising and amusement apparatus 10 comprises a support indicated generally at 14 to which is attached the securing assembly 12, and journaled on the support is a rotor assembly indicated generally at 16.

The support 14, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises a plastic dome-shaped hat or head piece 18 includ ing diametrically opposed slots 20. The securing assembly 12 comprises a strap 22 looped at terminal ends 24 through the slots 20. The intermediate portion of the strap is formed as a loop 26 over which is frictionally engaged a slidable slide element 28 to accommodate different sized users and permit ready removal from the users head.

The hat or head piece has formed integrally therewith, a pair of hollow and vertically tapered support arms 30 and 32. which provide substantial rigidity and yet may be laterally displaced as shown by phantom lines in FIG- URE 3 to permit insertion and removal of the rotor as sembly 16.

The inner surfaces 34 and 36 of the arms 30 and 32, respectively, include aligned apertures 38 and 40, respectively which define bearing means or a transverse axis of rotation on the support arms.

The hat 18 includes below the axis of rotation and in the plane of rotation of the rotor assembly 16 signal means indicated generally at 42 and comprising in the exemplary embodiment a resilient, leaf spring-like element 44 which is embedded at its lower end 46 in the hat. The displaceable element 44 will emit a click-like sound when engaged by an abutment portion of the rotor assembly 16. The rotor assembly may comprise many forms in addition to those shown, for example, having a picture formed on a disc, an annular outline such as a tumbling monkey, etc. The signal means (although not shown) is conducive for use as a switch element for energizing an electrically operated audible or visual signal with batteries supported in the hat.

The signal means apprizes a user that the rotor is rotating, since it is difficult to determine such rotation unless the user faces a mirror, or someone is watching him use the device.

The rotor 16 comprises a relatively solid body member 48 having extending transversely through the center thereof a shaft element 50, having reduced diameter end portions 52 and 54 at opposite ends which are removably received in the aligned apertures 38 and 40, respectively, see FIGURE 3. The shaft element 50 may be fixedly secured in the body member 48 or may comprise a Teflon shaft or the like upon which the member 48 is journaled. Preferably, the shaft 50 is fixed to the member 48 to positively orient the rotor assembly between the inner walls 34 and 36 of the respective arms 30 and 32.

In FIGURES 1-5, the member 48 includes a plurality of radially extending, circumferentially spaced, arms, blades or fingers 56, one of which is indicated at 56' having embedded therein a weight element 58. The member 48 is Symmetrical about the axis of rotation defined by shaft 50, however, the weight 52 causes the mass of the rotor to be located eccentric to the axis of rotation, and the member 48 to generally tend to assume the position indicated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4. The blades 56, 56 will abuttingly engage the signal means element 44 during rotation and four clicks per rotation of the rotor will be emitted.

Considering FIGURE 6, another embodiment of the rotor assembly is indicated generally at 16', the remaining portions of the device being similar to and identified by the reference characters previously used. The external appearance of rotor assembly 16 is at first glance similar to that indicated at 16, and the rotor assembly 16 includes a body member 48' formed with radially extending, circumferentially spaced arms or blades 156. The blades 156 are equidistantly located with respect to the center C of member 48, however, the shaft 50 is offset from center C, i.e., the terminal end 158 of arm 156 is a greater distance from the rotor axis than are the remaining arms 156. In this manner, the mass of the rotor is eccentric to the rotor axis defined by shaft 50, and only the terminal end 158 of arm 156' will engage the signal means element 44, i.e., one click per rotor assembly revolution.

The manner of use and operation of the device has previously been described in detail. The user secures the hat or head piece on his head, and by moving up and down with a slight nodding movement at the upper and lower limits of such movement is able to overcome rotor assembly inertia and cause the rotor assembly to continuously rotate when the movements are in harmony with the weight distribution or oscillations of the rotor.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made wtihout departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is notv limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An exercising and amusement device comprising a hat member, mounting means on said hat member for securing said hat member on a users head, said hat member including a pair of generally vertical spaced, parallel support arms extending from the outer surface thereof, said support arms including opposed bearing portions adjacent the terminal ends of said support arms, and a rotor member including transverse shaft means journaled for free rotation in said opposed bearing portions, said rotor member including an eccentrically located mass with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor member defined by said shaft means, said rotor member tending to remain in a relatively fixed position due to the eccentrically located mass and being rotatable initially due to physical movement of a users head and body in a generally vertical direction, and continued rotation being promoted by continuous physical movement in harmony with the period of oscillation of said rotor member due to said eccentrically located mass said rotor member including at least. one radially projecting abutment portion, and signal means on said hat member and disposed in the path of travel of said rotor member abutment portion for periodic engagement thereby to apprize the user that his physical movement is in harmony with the period of rotation of said abutment portion.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a displaceable element extending toward the axis of rotation of said rotor member.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a depending chin strap means for engaging beneath the chin of a user of the device.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said rotor member comprises a plurality of radially extending arms circumferentially spaced about said axis of rotation.

5'. The structure of claim 4 wherein said radial arms are symmetrical with respect to the center of said rotor member, the axis of rotation of said rotor member being spaced from the center of said rotor.

6. The structure of claim 4 wherein said radial arms are symmetrical with respect to the center of said rotor member, said rotor member including an increased Weight portion eccentric of the axis of rotation of said rotor member.

7. The structure of claim 4 wherein said signal means comprise a spring-like, leaf element extending vertically into the path of travel of said arms and engageable with the terminal ends thereof for periodic displacement thereby to emit an audible click-like noise.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein said support arms are displaceable with respect to each other for removably supporting said rotor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 783,714 2/05 Wunder 46-5 3 1,173,141 2/16 Bartholomae 4652 X 1,272,748 7/18 Willett 46-52 X 2,679,711 6/54 Learnard 4653 2,958,156 11/60 Schmahl 46-47 X 3,039,228 6/62 Mazzadra 46- 47 3,071,891 1/63 Stippick 46-47 3,098,316 7/63 McCarthy 46-47 X DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, Examiner. 

1. AN EXCERCISING AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING A HAT MEMBER, MOUNTING MEANS ON SAID HAT MEMBER FOR SECURING SAID HAT MEMBER ON A USER''S HEAD, SAID HAT MEMBER INCLUDING A PAIR OF GENERALLY VERTICAL SPACED, PARALLEL SUPPORT ARMS EXTENDING FROM THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, SAID SUPPORT ARMS INCLUDING OPPOSED BEARING PORTIONS ADJACENT THE TERMINAL ENDS OF SAID SUPPORT ARMS, AND A ROTOR MEMBER INCLUDING TRANSVERSE SHAFT MEANS JOURNALED FOR FACE ROTATION IN SAID OPPOSED BEARING PORTIONS, SAID ROTOR MEMBER INCLUDING AN ECCENTRICALLY LOCATED MASS WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID ROTOR MEMBER DEFINED BY SAID SHAFT MEANS, SAID ROTOR MEMBER TENDING TO REMAIN IN A RELATIVELY FIXED POSITION DUE TO THE ECCENTRICALLY LOCATED MASS AND BEING ROTATABLE INITIALLY DUE TO PHYSICAL MOVEMENT OF A USER''S HEAD AND BODY IN A GENERALLY VERTICAL DIRECTION, AND CONTINUED ROTATING BEING PROMOTED BY CONTINUOUS PHYSICAL MOVEMENT IN HARMONY WITH THE PERIOD OF OSCILLATION OF SAID ROTOR MEMBER DUE TO SID ECCENTRICALLY LOCATED MASS SAID ROTOR MEMBER INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE RADIALLY PROJECTING ABUTMENT PORTION, AND SIGNAL MEANS ON SAID HAT MEMBER AND DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID ROTOR MEMBER ABUTMENT PORTION FOR PERIODIC ENGAGEMENT THEREBY TO APPRIZE THE USER THAT HIS PHYSICAL MOVEMENT IS IN HARMONY WITH THE PERIOD OF ROTATION OF SAID ABUTMENT PORTION. 